Reflecting on the Future: The Gift of Time Inspires a Daughter to Give Back

After a cancer diagnosis, time becomes a major focus. Time with loved ones. Time away from work and time for hobbies. Time to do the things that matter most to you, whatever they may be. When Meredith’s father learned that he had stage 4 colon cancer, she was just 8 years old. His first doctor told him that he likely only had six more months to live. Then he came to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).  

Thanks to MSK’s expert care, Meredith’s dad lived for another three years. Meredith says he was certain MSK gave him those extra three years with his family, invaluable time that she feels grateful to have shared with her dad. 

The best gift

Meredith’s father, an employee of the New York City Department of Transportation, worked on the 59th Street Bridge — the same bridge he later ran across during the New York City Marathon. He completed the race in under four hours, a feat for someone in excellent health. But a colonoscopy a few weeks later revealed he had unknowingly been living and training with advanced colon cancer. Although his first doctor only gave Meredith’s dad six months to live, the cutting-edge treatment he received from MSK made it possible for him to make more memories with his daughter, son, and wife.

A team effort

Meredith wasn’t aware of it at the time, but her father was not the only one facing a cancer diagnosis. During his treatment, Meredith’s mother discovered that she had early-stage breast cancer. She underwent three successful surgeries at MSK and received radiation treatments at a local center. As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, Meredith’s mother’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and expert care in fighting this disease that affects so many families.

Meredith recognizes the impact that MSK’s world-class care can have on a family, especially during the most difficult moments. “It’s the compassion, the care, and the way that the whole team of doctors and nurses — even people in billing — really showed up for us,” she says.

Following her parents’ lead

As an adult, Meredith began volunteering with the same caregiver support program at MSK that she benefitted from when her father was undergoing treatment. She also decided to literally follow in her dad’s footsteps, running two marathons with Fred’s Team, MSK’s official running program. “I did it to remind myself of how hard my father fought for those years,” Meredith says. “It’s amazing to see all the people coming together to support each other, raise awareness, and to raise funds for the critical work MSK is doing.”

Additionally, having two parents diagnosed with cancer in their early 40s motivated Meredith to seek out genetic testing through MSK’s RISE (Risk Assessment, Imaging, Surveillance, and Education) screening program for people at increased risk of developing breast cancer.

She was matched with a genetic counselor and underwent several tests to see if she was genetically predisposed to certain cancers. Programs like RISE are especially vital during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when we emphasize the life-saving potential of proactive screening and genetic counseling for those with family histories of the disease. Ultimately, she learned that she does not have any known genetic mutations that would be cause for concern, and the counselor’s assurance that they would reach out if more advanced testing became available put Meredith at ease. She says, “The level of care goes above and beyond what you can get anywhere else.”

Creating a lasting legacy

When Meredith began planning her estate and looking back on her life, she came to the realization that MSK has made the greatest impact for her. Today, when she visits MSK and looks out on the 59th Street Bridge where her father once worked, she’s reminded of the connection between her family’s story and the hospital that saved her mother’s life and gave her precious extra time with her dad. To show her appreciation and ensure MSK continues to receive the funding needed for cutting-edge research, she chose to remember MSK in her plans. Although she’s young, Meredith knows the importance of early estate planning. She says, “If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that life can change in a matter of a seconds.”

Meredith’s legacy gift is an expression of her immense gratitude for the care her parents received and the extra time she spent with her dad. She also hopes it will allow MSK to continue to attract the most talented clinicians and drive innovative research.